MICRO CHAP 14 EXAM 4

Complement

Blood proteins that assist in destroying pathogens through inflammation, opsonization, and MAC formation.

Phagocytosis

A process where immune cells engulf, digest, and eliminate pathogens.

Inflammation

The body’s tissue response to infection or injury, marked by redness, heat, swelling, and pain.

Interferon

A protein released by virus-infected cells that signals nearby cells and activates natural killer cells.

Vasodilation

Widening of blood vessels to allow immune cells and fluid to enter the infected tissue.

Edema

Swelling caused by fluid buildup and dead cells at the infection site.

Resolution

Final stage of inflammation where macrophages clean debris and repair tissue.

Cytokines

Signaling proteins secreted by cells that affect the behavior of other immune cells.

Histamine

Chemical released by mast cells that increases blood vessel permeability during inflammation.

Chemokines

Molecules that attract white blood cells to the site of infection or injury.

C-reactive Protein (CRP)

A blood marker that indicates the presence of inflammation in the body.

Pyrogens

Substances that travel to the hypothalamus and trigger fever during inflammation.

Neutrophils

Short-lived phagocytes that are the first white blood cells to respond to infection.

Macrophages

Longer-lived phagocytes that engulf pathogens and clean up debris after inflammation.

Dendritic Cells

Phagocytes that capture pathogens and help activate the adaptive immune system.

Binding

The toll-like receptor (TLR) on the phagocyte binds to a pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) on the pathogen.

Ingestion

The phagocyte engulfs the pathogen and forms a phagosome.

Phagolysosome Formation

The phagosome fuses with a lysosome, forming a phagolysosome that contains digestive enzymes.

Destruction

The pathogen is broken down using enzymes and reactive oxygen species.

Elimination

Waste materials from the digested pathogen are expelled by the phagocyte through exocytosis.

Natural Killer (NK) Cells

White blood cells that kill virus-infected or abnormal cells using perforins and granzymes.

Opsonization

The coating of a pathogen with molecules (like complement) to make it easier for phagocytes to recognize and ingest.

MAC (Membrane Attack Complex)

A structure formed by complement proteins that punches holes in bacterial membranes, causing them to burst.

Promote Inflammation (Complement Role)

Complement proteins increase blood vessel permeability to aid immune cell entry.

MAC Formation (Complement Role)

Complement proteins assemble into a complex that creates pores in bacterial cell walls.

3 → 1 → 2 (Inflammation Order)

Vascular changes → Edema → Resolution.